O'Connor, from Croydon, is described by the official Arsenal website as "calm in possession and commanding in the air" and he has also played a part in the Uefa Youth League this season.

Over the summer O'Connor has added bulk to his impressive physical frame, he stands at around 6 foot 4 inches, and that has helped him become an even more exciting prospect for Arsenal going into the future.

His progress has not gone unrewarded, his three-year deal comes off the back of training with the Arsenal first-team this season - and considering the problems that Arsenal currently have at centre-back, with Laurent Koscielny injured and options thin, O'Connor might be getting his chance in the Arsenal first-team sooner than expected.

O'Connor is also an England youth international, showing his talents are not just appreciated at The Emirates.

Most Arsenal fans may have never seen the player, so this gallery presents you with a chance to feast your eyes on a player described as a natural leader - and certainly one for the future at Arsenal football club.

Mathew Nash

I’m Mathew Nash a 27 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.Mathew is a correspondent for the NextGen Series, Ligue 1 and Primeira Liga.